The race for aerodynamics that gripped the 1969 and 1970 NASCAR Grand National seasons was characterized by the slanted shapes and pointy proboscises of cars like the Ford SportsRoof Talladega fastback and Plymouth Superbird. When the aerodynamically-optimized Dodge Charger Daytona took the NASCAR world by storm, Ford responded with development of the Torino King Cobra, which never saw production.
These days, a Torino King Cobra is nearly a unicorn, with only three prototypes believed to have been produced—one of which showed up on eBay last year. Lo and behold, here’s a 1970 Torino King Cobra tribute car now listed on eBay. While not one of the ultra-rare Torino King Cobra prototypes, this car was meticulously fitted with what the seller, Vanguard Motor Sales of Plymouth, Mich., says is “one of two surviving factory experimental King Cobra NASCAR front ends” and “the only other surviving front end is on racing legend Bud Moore’s own King Cobra.” So, it’s an original nose and therefore priceless to Blue Oval NASCAR fanatics. The vehicle is based on a numbers-matching 1970 429 Cobra Jet Torino.
The original 429 cubic inch Cobra Jet engine and C6 automatic transmission have been rebuilt and upgraded. The V8 received a more aggressive camshaft and ported heads. The engine sports cast iron exhaust manifolds, a four-barrel Quadrajet carburetor, and factory air/conditioning. The transmission benefits from an aftermarket shift kit and a fresh 2-1/2 high-flow dual exhaust system have been installed. The steering, suspension, brake, and fuel systems have all been restored.
The interior is stunning. While the carpet, headliner, and package tray have been replaced, the upholstery is from the factory, along with the door panels and dash pad. The steering wheel and instrument cluster have been restored and the original speedometer was replaced with a 140 MPH NOS police unit.
The King Cobra’s exterior is period correct, other than an upgrade to the rubber, as it slithers down the street on classic 15-inch Magnum 500 wheels, wrapped with BFGoodrich Radial T/As. The sheet metal was refinished in the brilliant factory Candy Apple Red, while the undercarriage was taken down to metal and sprayed in Red Oxide.
NASCAR’s extreme factory aero wars ended with the 1970 season, as homologation rules were raised from 500 cars in 1969 to one car for every two US dealers for 1970. Skyrocketing performance car insurance rates and tightening emissions regulations put the double-whammy on the muscle car era as the auto manufacturers were reluctant to build thousands of cars merely to suit NASCAR rules.
With the changes and a shift in corporate leadership at Ford, the King Cobra program was scrapped—and most signs of its existence, including clay models and fiberglass mock-ups, were destroyed. But the original nose on this 1970 Torino King Cobra was saved and will continue to slice through the air for the legendary car’s next owner.
